Christina Rowland photo
Pettus AD and head football coach Steve Marbach announced on Thursday that he has accepted the same position with District 16-A Division II rival Falls City. The Beavers are perennial powers in all sports, and Marbach felt it was a very difficult choice but will better serve his long-term coaching career.

PETTUS – From Eagle to Beaver, that’s the move that Pettus Athletic Director Steve Marbach will be making next year.

Marbach announced his acceptance of the Fall City position on Thursday morning via email. Marbach has been with the Eagles for nine years altogether and eight as the top man in the athletic department and as the Eagles’ head football and basketball coach.

He has led the Eagles to the playoffs in both football and basketball over the years. His teams may not have had the most talent, but they always played with the most heart and hustle.

He led the Eagles to two district titles in basketball and has steered the Eagles football programs to two bi-district championships in 2010 and 2011. The 2010 championship was the first at Pettus since 1951.

Marbach joins a school district that is known statewide as a 1A powerhouse in every sport. The football team under head coach Mark Kirchoff were state champions in 2010 and advanced deep into the playoffs last year before bowing out. The girls programs are just as strong in basketball and track teams having reached state meets and finals over the years.

“I want to thank all of you for everything you’ve done for me over the last nine years. It has been a fantastic journey,” Marbach said in the communication.

“I will miss you all so much.”

His decision to leave Pettus was a hard one. His loyalty to the school and to the students has never been or will ever be debated. His programs are always run right.

“The decision to make this move was very difficult because there are so many great people in Pettus ISD and in the Pettus community,” Marbach said. “A lot of prayer and consideration went into this decision, and in the end, I felt that this move was the best choice for my long-term coaching career and for my family.”

Those goals aren’t necessarily tied to winning.

“My number one coaching goal is to help my school, community and families raise outstanding young men. I think my number one job is to teach our future husbands, fathers, employees and employers the right way to do things,” said Marbach.

“Beyond that, my goals are to get my kids to compete hard, to play with class, and to strive to be champions.”

“Marbach is truly a great guy, a class act all the way. He has done a great job, not only as coach but as an athletic director,” Rackley said.

“He will be missed very, very much. But, there are lots of coaches in the state that are equal to his caliber and we’re going to find one for the Eagles.”

The search for a new man to take over the reins at PISD will begin immediately, according to Tucker.

The school district will post the opening today (Thursday) and Tucker feels the position applicant interviews will get underway by mid June. He believes that the PISD board will have a top candidate to hire by the PISD board meeting on June 25.

“I will always hold the people of Pettus dear in my heart, especially the athletes who have competed so well for me over the years. I wish you continued success in all things,” Marbach said